Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives & Corporate Development (m/f/x)

Our Mission

At Circus (Xetra: CA1), headquartered in Munich, we are pioneering global developments in on-demand autonomous food production. Everything from creation to production and operation – enabled by seamlessly integrated cutting-edge robotics and transformative AI technology.

Our foundation rests in the extensive developments of groundbreaking robotics driven by artificial intelligence, previously the missing link in achieving true autonomous food automation. This is the moment for a new status quo: Just as autonomous driving will disrupt how we build cities, organize our days, and live our lives, so will we shift our whole reality around food.

Our Team is backing a paradigm shift in one of humanity's most important sectors with the sharpest minds in Robotics, AI, Engineering and Culinary, collaborating closely with industry-leading partners to revolutionize every aspect of the food service experience.

Join us as we forge ahead, crafting a future where the art of cooking and the science of technology converge to create a world that thinks differently about food than it has for thousands of years – a world where food means something new.

About the Role

We are expanding through new commercial partnerships, acquisitions, and an expanding operational footprint. This role exists to make sure our most complex, high-priority initiatives are properly scoped, driven, and landed — not left to drift across teams.

You'll own several strategic projects in parallel at any given time. The scope shifts with the business: one quarter it could be post-merger integration of an acquired company, the next a major commercial partnership, a new market entry, or a critical cross-functional ops programme. What stays constant is your job — bring structure, create clarity, and drive things to completion.

Your Daily Business

• Own a portfolio of high-priority strategic initiatives in parallel — driving each from initial scoping through execution to close-out
• Drive post-merger integration workstreams when Circus acquires, ensuring acquired entities are operationally embedded and synergies are realised on plan
• Scope new strategic projects from scratch — define objectives, owners, timelines, dependencies, and success criteria before execution begins
• Build and maintain programme roadmaps , tracking milestones across workstreams, surfacing blockers early, and keeping leadership aligned
• Manage upward and sideways — prepare decision-ready materials for the CEO and leadership team, escalate risks, and push for resolution when things stall
• Bridge Business Development and Operations — translate BD and CorpDev priorities into structured, executable plans in collaboration with the relevant teams
• Create structure in ambiguous situations — when a critical initiative has no clear owner or framework, you provide both

Base Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in Corporate Development, M&A, strategy consulting, or a Founders Associate / Chief of Staff type role
• Direct exposure to complex, company-level initiatives — M&A transactions, post-merger integration, strategic partnerships, or similar
• Strong scoping and structuring skills — you can take a vague mandate and turn it into a clear, owned plan
• Comfortable managing multiple workstreams in parallel without losing grip on any of them
• Excellent stakeholder management — you know how to align people who don't share the same priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication in English; German is a plus
• High ownership mindset — you treat deadlines as commitments and don't wait to be chased
• You actively use AI tools in day-to-day work — you've integrated AI into how you research, structure, communicate, and execute

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience specifically in post-merger integration or corporate venture / M&A execution
• Background in investment banking, private equity, or management consulting
• Familiarity with product operations or agile delivery methodologies
• Exposure to hardware, robotics, or food tech industries

Our Offer

• Compensation: Competitive base salary with stock options for full-time employees - real listed equity, not virtual units.
• Time Off: Unlimited paid vacation – we trust you to manage your time responsibly.
• Flexibility: Hybrid work setup with up to 2 months/year fully remote (Worcation).
• Personal Development: Annual training budget for workshops, coaching, conferences, or books.
• Mobility: Monthly flex benefit spendable on lunch, mobility, internet costs, or childcare via Become.1 - plus optional JobRad bike leasing or a subsidized Dance e-bike/e-moped subscription.
• Well-Being: Employer-subsidised membership to Urban Sports Club or Wellhub – access to gyms, studios, and wellness offerings across Germany.